Manual labelling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Labelling apparatus adapted to facilitate the manual application of labels to packages. The apparatus includes a rotatably mounted, tub-like, open receptacle which may be positioned at the end of a conveyor to receive packages and may include a motor for rotating the receptacle about a substantially vertical axis to insure a fairly even distribution of the packages within the receptacle. A labelling table is supported above the receptacle by means of a U-shaped frame and is dimensioned and positioned with respect to the open mouth of the receptacle such that ready access to the receptacle is provided, thereby facilitating withdrawal of packages manually from the receptacle and positioning them on the labelling table. A label dispenser is mounted above the labelling table within convenient reach of the operator so that labels can be withdrawn manually from the dispenser and readily applied to packages positioned on the labelling table.

United States Patent [191 Treiber Sept. 23, 1975 [21] Appl. No.: 398,070

[52] US. Cl. 156/538; 53/390; 248/131 [51] Int. Cl. B65B 67/10; A47Fl0/00 [58] Field of Search 156/536, 539, 538, 584,

156/542, DIG. 48; 53/137, 390; 269/15; 108/25, 50, 28; 248/130, 128,131; 426/106, 129; 312/197, 202

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,593,325 4/1952 Mathews53/390 2,865,508 12/1958 Nock 53/390 3,536,336 10/1970 Palmer 248/131Primary ExaminerDouglas J. Drummond Assistant Examiner--J. J. GallagherAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Biebel, French & Bugg [57] ABSTRACT Labellingapparatus adapted to facilitate the manual application of labels topackages. The apparatus includes a rotatably mounted, tub-like, openreceptacle which may be positioned at the end of a conveyor to receivepackages and may include a motor for rotating the receptacle about asubstantially vertical axis to insure a fairly even distribution of thepackages within the receptacle. A labelling table is supported above thereceptacle by means of a U-shaped frame and is dimensioned andpositioned with respect to the open mouth of the receptacle such thatready access to the receptacle is provided, thereby facilitatingwithdrawal of packages manually from the receptacle and positioning themon the labelling table. A label dispenser is mounted above the labellingtable within convenient reach of the operator so that labels can bewithdrawn manually from the dispenser and readily applied to packagespositioned on the labelling table.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures MANUAL LABELLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION In the packaging of many articles, even though the weighing ofthe packages and labelling with weight and price information is carriedout automatically, it is often desirable to thereafter place variousadditional labels to the prepackaged and labelled products. For example,in packaging meat products for retail sales, after the weight and pricelabel is applied to the wrapped packages it is often desirable to applyvarious labels indicating that certain cuts are suitable for barbecuing,etc. Such labels are often carried in roll form on a continuous backingstrip, with the rolls being placed in a dispenser which allows thelabels to be withdrawn and automatically peeled from the backing strip.

Despite the advantages provided by dispensers of this type, the flow ofpackages from the packaging and pricing line may often proceed at a ratesuch that it is difficult for an operator to pick up each package comingoff the conveyor, apply a label to the package and then position it on atray to be carried out to the display case where the products are to besold and to perform these operations at an efficient rate of speed. Suchoperations are, in fact, usually rather inefficient and unduly timeconsuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a manuallabelling apparatus which may be positioned at the end of a conveyorline leading from a packaging and pricing machine to receive thepackages in a manner such that they are readily accessible forpositioning on a labelling table having a label dispenser positionedadjacent to it.

Thus, packages can be removed from the receptacle, positioned in a layeron a tray on the labelling table, and a series of labels withdrawn fromthe label dispenser and manually applied to each of the packages. Thisoperation may be repeated until several layers of packages arepositioned on the tray, which is thereafter removed from thetable andreplaced by another.

The apparatus includes a supporting base which rotatably mounts thereceptacle on an upper end of the base and a motor or the like may beutilized to provide rotation of the receptacle and an even distributionof the packages within the receptacle. A framework for the labellingtable extends from beneath the receptacle upwardly and over thereceptacle. As a result, the floor space occupied by the entireapparatus is approximately the same as that that would be occupied bythe receptacle alone.

The size of the labelling table and the manner in which it is positionedabove the receptacle permit ready access to the receptacle to facilitateremoval of the packages from the receptacle and positioning of thepackages on the labelling table. In a preferred embodiment of theinvention the labelling table is of substantially rectangularconfiguration and the receptacle has an upstanding cylindrical sidewall.

The table is then positioned with respect to the receptacle such that itis above the upper edges of the cylindrical side wall of the receptacleyet positioned inwardly thereof to facilitate, as noted above, removalof the packages from the receptacle and positioning of the packages onthe table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating therelationship of apparatus in accordance with the present invention to atypical source of packages to be labelled;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the labelling apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As seen in FIG. 1 of thedrawings, in a typical installation the manual labelling apparatus 10 ofthe present invention is positioned at the downstream end of a conveyor12 associated with weighing and labelling mechanism 14. Thus, after thepackage, usually prewrapped,.

is weighed, the total price computed and a sticker bearing the weight,unit price, and total price applied to the package, the package isdelivered by the conveyor 12 to the apparatus 10.

Turning now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that theapparatus 10 includes a pedestal base, including an upright verticalcolumn 18 and three downwardly and outwardly extending supporting legs20 equally spaced about the vertical column 18. While three legs areshown for purposes of illustration it will be apparent that any numbercan be used that will provide a stable support.

A motor 22 is mounted on the base assembly and drives a receptacle 24for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. The receptacle 24 isof substantially tublike configuration, having a bottom wall 26 and aside wall 28 having an upper edge 30.

A substantially U-shaped supporting frame 32 includes a lower,substantially horizontally oriented leg 34 attached by means of a collar36 to the vertical column 18, an upper, substantially horizontal leg 38and a substantially vertical oriented leg 40 interconnecting legs 34 and38.

A labelling table 42 is provided having a substantially rectangularconfiguration and including upstanding rear and end walls 44 and 46,respectively, which serve to align trays 48 (see FIG. 1) positionedthereon. The length and width of the table 42 are less than the diameterof the receptacle 24 and the table 42 is bolted, as at 50, FIG. 3 of thedrawings, to the upper leg 38 in a manner such that table 42 ispositioned above the upper edge 30 of the receptacle substantiallycentrally thereof inwardly of the side wall 28, as best seen in FIGS. 1,3 and 4 of the drawings.

A dispenser 52, which may be of conventional design, carries a series ofrolls 54 of labels 56 carried on backing strips 58 and threaded aboutrods 60 which allow the labels 56 to be separated from the backingstrips as they are removed from the dispenser. A subready access to thereceptacle, thereby facilitating the removal of the packages 16therefrom and the positioning thereof in layers on a tray 48 positionedon the table 'Ready access to packages in the receptacle is obtained byproper positioning of the table 42 with respect to the receptacle 24,and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dimensioning of thetable 42, such that it is unnecessary for the operator to reach beneaththe table to gain access to the receptacle 24.

From the above it will be apparent that the present invention provideslabelling apparatus for facilitating the manual application of labels topackages on an efficient, fairly high volume basis.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be-understood that the inventionis not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Labelling apparatus comprising a support base, an open, packagereceiving receptacle having a substantially cylindrical side wall, meansrotatably mounting said receptacle on said supporting base, a labellingtable having dimensions in a horizontal plane less than the dimensionsof the opening into said open receptacle, and means extending from saidbase to a point above said receptacle and suspending said labellingtable over said open receptacle with said table suspended above upperedges of said receptacle side walls, but inwardly of said receptacleside wall upper edges, to provide ready access to the interior of saidreceptacle adjacent said side wall thereof, thereby facilitating manualtransfer of packages from said receptacle to said table.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising dispensing meanspositioned adjacent said table for holding a supply of labels to beapplied to packages placed on said table.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said dispensing means is positionedadjacent said table by means extending from said table mounting meansand carrying said dispensing means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle mounting meansmounts said receptacle for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said table mounting means includes asubstantially U-shaped frame extending from beneath said receptacle andaround and above said receptacle.

6 The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for rotating saidreceptacle with respect to said base.

7 The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said table is positionedsubstantially centrally of said receptacle.

8. Labelling apparatus comprising a pedestal supporting base including asubstantially vertically disposed central column and outwardly anddownwardly extending, triangularly arranged supporting legs, a tublikereceptacle having a substantially cylindrical side wall rotatablymounted on an upper end of said vertical column, means for rotating saidreceptacle on said column, a substantially U-shaped frame includingupper and lower substantially horizontally oriented legs and asubstantially vertically oriented interconnecting leg extending betweensaid upper and lower legs, means attaching an inner end of said lowerhorizontal leg to said vertical column beneath said receptacle, asubstan-' tially rectangular table having a length and a width each lessthan the diameter of said receptacle, and

means mounting said table on said upper horizontallyv disposed leg aboveupper edges of said substantially cylindrical side wall of saidreceptacle and inwardly thereof. v

9. Labelling apparatus comprising a pedestal supporting base including asubstantially vertically disposed central column and outwardly anddownwardly extending, triangularly arranged supporting legs, a tublikereceptacle having a substantially cylindrical side wall rotatablymounted on an upper end of said vertical column, means for rotating saidreceptacle on said column, a substantially U-shaped frame includingupper and lower substantially horizontally oriented legs and asubstantially vertically oriented interconnecting leg extending betweensaid upper and lower legs, means attaching an inner end of said lowerhorizontal leg to said vertical column beneath said receptacle, asubstantially rectangular table, means mounting said table on said upperhorizontally disposed leg above upper edges of said substantiallycylindrical side wall of said receptacle and inwardly thereof, thelength and width of said table being less than the diameter of saidreceptacle, a label dispenser for holding a supply of labels to beapplied to packages placed on said table, a substantially L-shapedsupport having one end thereof attached to said upper horizontal leg ofsaid substantially U-shaped frame beneath said table intermediate theends thereof, and means attaching said label dispensing means to anopposite end of said L-shaped support.

1. Labelling apparatus comprising a support base, an open, packagereceiving receptacle having a substantially cylindrical side wall, meansrotatably mounting said receptacle on said supporting base, a labellingtable having dimensions in a horizontal plane less than the dimensionsof the opening into said open receptacle, and means extending from saidbase to a point above said receptacle and suspending said labellingtable over said open receptacle with said table suspended above upperedges of said receptacle side walls, but inwardly of said receptacleside wall upper edges, to provide ready access to the interior of saidreceptacle adjacent said side wall thereof, thereby facilitating manualtransfer of packages from said receptacle to said table.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising dispensing means positionedadjacent said table for holding a supply of labels to be applied topackages placed on said table.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein saiddispensing means is positioned adjacent said table by means extendingfrom said table mounting means and carrying said dispensing means. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said receptacle mounting means mountssaid receptacle for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said table mounting means includes asubstantially U-shaped frame extending from beneath said receptacle andaround and above said receptacle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising means for rotating said receptacle with respect to said base.7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said table is positionedsubstantially centrally of said receptacle.
 8. Labelling apparatuscomprising a pedestal supporting base including a substantiallyvertically disposed central column and outwardly and downwardlyextending, triangularly arranged supporting legs, a tub-like receptaclehaving a substantially cylindrical side wall rotatably mounted on anupper end of said vertical column, means for rotating said receptacle onsaid column, a substantially U-shaped frame including upper and lowersubstantially horizontally oriented legs and a substantially verticallyoriented interconnecting leg extending between said upper and lowerlegs, means attaching an inner end of said lower horizontal leg to saidvertical column beneath said receptacle, a substantially rectangulartable having a length and a width each less than the diameter of saidreceptacle, and means mounting said table on said upper horizontallydisposed leg above upper edges of said substantially cylindrical Sidewall of said receptacle and inwardly thereof.
 9. LABELLING APPARATUSCOMPRISING A PEDESTAL SUPPORTING BASE INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLYVERTICALLY DISPOSED CENTRAL COLUMN AND OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLYEXTENDING, TRIANGULARLY ARRANGED SUPPORTING LEGS, A TUB-LIKE RECEPTACLEHAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON ANUPPER END OF SAID VERTICAL COLUMN, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID RECEPTABLE ONSAID COLUMN, A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED FRAME INCLUDING UPPER AND LOWERSUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY ORIENTED LEGS AND A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLYORIENTED INTERCONNECTING LEG EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWERLEGS, MEANS ATTACHING AN INNER END OF SAID LOWER HORIZONTAL LEG TO SAIDVERTICAL COLUMN BENEATH SAID RECEPTACLE, A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULARTABLE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID TABLE ON SAID UPPER HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED LEGABOVE UPPER EDGES OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL OF SAIDRECEPTACLE AND INWARDLY THEREOF, THE LENGTH AND WIDTH OF SAID TABLEBEING LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID RECEPTACLE, A LABEL DISPENSER FORHOLDING A SUPPLY OF LABELS TO BE APPLIED TO PACKAGES PLACED ON SAIDTABLE, A SUBSTANTIALLY L-SHAPED SUPPORT HAVING ONE END THEREOF ATTACHEDTO SAID UPPER HORIZONTAL LEG OF SAID SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED FRAMEBENEATH SAID TABLE INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF, AND MEANS ATTACHINGSAID LABEL DISPENSING MEANS TO AN OPPOSITE END OF SAID L-SHAPED SUPPORT.